Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
- Thread starter Gearjoneser
- Start date
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
I used to sell them so that's how I knew at first. When I got my first American Fender, I had to tell the guy where I bought it to leave that sticker on there or the little spring was going to come out. He had no clue there was one in there.
Owner's Manual 1992-1994
Owner's Manual 1995-2002
Scroll down to the Tremolo Systems section (page 4 of the manual, page 7 of the PDF). It mentions it there in the last paragraph under American Standard.
Musician's Friend Sells Them
Search for "Fender tremolo arm tension spring".
I used to sell them so that's how I knew at first. When I got my first American Fender, I had to tell the guy where I bought it to leave that sticker on there or the little spring was going to come out. He had no clue there was one in there.
Owner's Manual 1992-1994
Owner's Manual 1995-2002
Scroll down to the Tremolo Systems section (page 4 of the manual, page 7 of the PDF). It mentions it there in the last paragraph under American Standard.
Musician's Friend Sells Them
Search for "Fender tremolo arm tension spring".
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TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
Awesome. I would've never thought to do that.
Awesome. I would've never thought to do that.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
I wonder how many people never knew about the spring, and lost theirs the first time they turned the guitar over?
Thanks for the links. I had no idea Musicians Friend sold them. If mine gets lost, I'll get a bag of 12 for $6.
I wonder how many people never knew about the spring, and lost theirs the first time they turned the guitar over?
Thanks for the links. I had no idea Musicians Friend sold them. If mine gets lost, I'll get a bag of 12 for $6.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
Fender has been using them since the 90's but be very careful...
Not to take any shots at Fender in general but the blocks that come on most Fender guitars these days are made form cheep metal and that spring can cause enough tension inside there to strip the threads completely...
It happened to me and I'll NEVER use another of those springs...
There are a lot of Callaham haters out here but if you have a Callaham block you don't have to worry about the bar getting sloppy over time...I've had mine several years now and it's just as still not got the slop...
Fender has been using them since the 90's but be very careful...
Not to take any shots at Fender in general but the blocks that come on most Fender guitars these days are made form cheep metal and that spring can cause enough tension inside there to strip the threads completely...
It happened to me and I'll NEVER use another of those springs...
There are a lot of Callaham haters out here but if you have a Callaham block you don't have to worry about the bar getting sloppy over time...I've had mine several years now and it's just as still not got the slop...
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
Not a hater, just don't think its a good value. I have to give them credit for the bushing for the arm fitting. FWIW, Teflon tape is cheap and works well.
Not a hater, just don't think its a good value. I have to give them credit for the bushing for the arm fitting. FWIW, Teflon tape is cheap and works well.
ganzosrevenge
New member
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
Stupid question.
If the wobble is so bad, why not just get a callaham block kit, replace stock block with that, and then go back to playin'? That's what I did and that little insert of Delrin (or magic plastic) eliminates the wiggle and gets rid of a big stress point that causes the bar to break.
The spring, ya lose if yer not careful, the bushing is jammed in nice and tight and you can't lose it unless you physically destroy the block. (Thus, I agree with TGWIF)
PS: my avatar, that's my block and plate and saddles from Callaham after I put it all together
Jason
Stupid question.
If the wobble is so bad, why not just get a callaham block kit, replace stock block with that, and then go back to playin'? That's what I did and that little insert of Delrin (or magic plastic) eliminates the wiggle and gets rid of a big stress point that causes the bar to break.
The spring, ya lose if yer not careful, the bushing is jammed in nice and tight and you can't lose it unless you physically destroy the block. (Thus, I agree with TGWIF)
PS: my avatar, that's my block and plate and saddles from Callaham after I put it all together
Jason
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
Check this video out if you're a strat Tremolo player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMhXhifsnuc
Check this video out if you're a strat Tremolo player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMhXhifsnuc
toowrongfoo
New member
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
edit, there is a vid just above this post! Skimming, lead to this type of thing :lol:
Ok, I see and yea, you are are right.
Now if someone could tell me (other than blocking) how to get my strat to still have the float w/o the cruddy g string sharp/flat thing I'd be happy. (I know, it's just something to live with
)
edit, there is a vid just above this post! Skimming, lead to this type of thing :lol:
Ok, I see and yea, you are are right.
Now if someone could tell me (other than blocking) how to get my strat to still have the float w/o the cruddy g string sharp/flat thing I'd be happy. (I know, it's just something to live with
)
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
Widen the G slot, either with a D size file or fine sandpaper folded around a piece of G string.
edit, there is a vid just above this post! Skimming, lead to this type of thing :lol:
Ok, I see and yea, you are are right.
Now if someone could tell me (other than blocking) how to get my strat to still have the float w/o the cruddy g string sharp/flat thing I'd be happy. (I know, it's just something to live with
Widen the G slot, either with a D size file or fine sandpaper folded around a piece of G string.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
+1. Also lubrication with graphite.
+1. Also lubrication with graphite.
toowrongfoo
New member
Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
I don't think so. This has the LSR roller, and believe me I've tried nut sauce on both the saddle and nut (and not just this guitar).
If I don't bend past a whole step, it's fine. If I bend past a whole step it goes out until I move the trem forward. The problem is I like to bend the crap out of a G string (stop it with your dirty mind )
I don't think so. This has the LSR roller, and believe me I've tried nut sauce on both the saddle and nut (and not just this guitar).
If I don't bend past a whole step, it's fine. If I bend past a whole step it goes out until I move the trem forward. The problem is I like to bend the crap out of a G string (stop it with your dirty mind
)Re: Tensioning a Fender Tremolo Bar
This thread came up at a good time. I've been playing hardtails for a long time and I've begun playing a Strat on the regular again. TUSQ XL Nut and some hardware upgrades are on the list, and I'm glad I got reminded about the spring!
This thread came up at a good time. I've been playing hardtails for a long time and I've begun playing a Strat on the regular again. TUSQ XL Nut and some hardware upgrades are on the list, and I'm glad I got reminded about the spring!
